It was another Saturday full of close clashes in the Premier League, as once again we didn’t see many goal but fans across the Premier League were put through the mill in the six games so far.

In the early kickoff where Hull surprised everyone at Man City to late drama at Upton Park and St. James’ Park and relief around Selhurst Park in South London, there were so many close games in Week 3 of the Premier League.

A tough encounter at the Cardiff City Stadium as the Bluebirds dug in to see out a 0-0 draw against a frustrated looking Everton side. Roberto Martinez’ men could have had two penalties in the first half and were stopped by David Marshall in Cardiff’s goal. In the second half Craig Bellamy had a good chance for Cardiff but Everton will be disappointed they didn’t push on more late in the game.

The Eagles have finally landed in the Premier League after a terrific second half display against Paolo Di Canio’s Sunderland sealed the win. The pivotal moment came as John O’Shea was sent off and Crystal Palace were awarded a penalty in the 75th minute, as Dwight Gayle was tripped then picked himself up to score the spot kick. A wonderful evening at Selhurst Park… but not if you’re a Sunderland fan.

This was an incredible hard-fought win for Man City at the Etihad. Hull chased and pressed them for the entire game and the Tigers could have been 2-0 up after early chances were spurned by Sone Aluko and Danny Graham. However City’s classed showed in the end as substitute Alvaro Negredo headed home after 65 minutes and Yaya Toure curled in a tremendous free kick in the 90th minute. Hard work from Hull goes unrewarded.

Hatem Ben Arfa was the hero at St. James’ Park as Fulham’s luck ran out in the 86th minute. The Frenchman finished superbly to give Alan Pardew’s side a much needed first win of the season, after the Magpies dominated for most of the game. It looked as though Fulham would walk away from the North East with a point but Martin Jol’s men can’t have many complaints about losing the game. Newcastle are up and running.

The Canaries clinched this one thanks to a terrific goal from teenager Nathan Redmond. The 19-year-old winger cut in from the left before smashing a wonderful low strike past Artur Boruc to send Carrow Road wild. Southampton came close as Adam Lallana struck the post with a fierce first half volley, but that was as good as it got. Both teams looked to force the issue in a lively second half but it was the Canaries who took all three points. Another close game, another close outcome.

Mark Hughes will be delighted with this win, as his new look Stoke side claimed back-to-back wins following a great performance against the Hammers. Jermaine Pennant’s free kick in the 82nd minute sent the traveling fans from Staffordshire wild, as Stoke prove they’re on the right track. Back to the drawing board for Big Sam and West Ham.

The suffering Swans have had their share of poor performances this season — Clement later said January transfer spending “is a must” if the club wants to stay up — but he’s throwing his hands up in the air when it comes to Wednesday’s loss at the Liberty Stadium.

“At times it was horrible to be on the sideline watching that, seeing my side trying but suffering for long periods. They’re not the games that will decide our season but it was hard to watch at times because they were so dominant. For me, one of the best sides I’ve ever come across. So many good athletes, so many intelligent footballers and it’s really hard to pin them down. We actually had some attempts on their goal so I’m disappointed we didn’t get on the score sheet but they were a far superior side to us. We’ve got to put it aside that game. We’ve got Everton away (next) and we’ve got to try and pick something up there.”

All that’s left is for Clement to pick up a clarinet, awkwardly blow into it, then point at Pep Guardiola and say, “He’s good.”

United didn’t have it’s A-game, but that was okay thanks to fine defensive play from star backstop David De Gea and some gutsy tackles from Phil Jones. The goal came when Juan Mata‘s cross was nodded home by Romelu Lukaku in the 25th minute, and United rode that marker for all it was worth to stay three points ahead of third place Chelsea.

How good is Man City? Pep Guardiola‘s bunch have now won a Premier League record 15-straight in a single season, and have scored 52 goals while conceding just 11. Markers 49-52 came from David Silva (two), Kevin De Bruyne, and Sergio Aguero. Tottenham is next.

A ball bounded off Ahmed Hegazi’s body, and off Dominic Solanke‘s body and forearm to give Liverpool its presumed breakthrough, but the call was intentional handball. The Reds had myriad chances to score before that, but instead hand a point to the visiting Baggies.

The chances were there for dominant Arsenal, but the winning goal did not materialize at the London Stadium. Marko Arnautovic did everything but score when West Ham did manage the ball, and Javier Hernandez rattled the cage late, but David Moyes men had to settle for a well-earned point.

8 – Eight different clubs have won more points away from home in the Premier League than Arsenal (9) this season – Man City, Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool, Burnley, Watford, Leicester & Spurs. Issue. pic.twitter.com/waUWHXCws6

Spurs are back in the Top Four thanks to a long Serge Aurier cross that fooled Mat Ryan and a Heung-Min Son deflection of a Christian Eriksen offering. Brighton’s just three points away from the drop zone with the loss.

Claude Puel‘s Foxes are flying, scoring goals for fun and encroaching on the Top Four after a horrible start to the Premier League season. Shinji Okazaki bagged his first Premier League brace, while Andy King and Riyad Mahrez also scored for Leicester, who is within five points of fourth and next faces Crystal Palace. Southampton’s goal came from Maya Yoshida.

1 – This is the first time that two Japanese players have scored for opposing sides in the history of the Premier League. Answer. https://t.co/HOApDbofnv

Wenger was content enough with the result, as he continued to be in the chorus of managers who lament the congested Premier League schedule around the holidays. From the BBC:

“We had so much of the ball, but it was very frustrating because we could even have lost it at the end. They’re happy to defend, they did that against Chelsea and Manchester City, so we couldn’t find the opening and the few chances we had we missed.

…

“When you play every three days, you lose your sharpness.”

That’s true, and to his credit Wenger didn’t try to say West Ham had one day’s more rest (which they did). As Man City runs away with the league and Manchester United doesn’t look fit to drop back to the back, the race for the final two Top Four spots is as congested as the schedule. Arsenal needs to turn some of its shot-heavy performances into goal-heavy cruises sometime soon.